MORMONS. The Mormons are the followers of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Smith was born at Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, in the United States of America. He became greatly interested in religion when he was little more than fourteen years old. This interest was in time rewarded, it is said. He received revela tions from heaven which were noted down in the Book of Mormon (see MORMON, BOOK OF). In 1829 he was ordained first to the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist, and then to the Apostleship by the Apostles Peter, James, and John. He then re-established the Church of Jesus Christ in preparation for the millennial reign of Christ on earth. He erected a temple in Kirt land, Ohio, and the State of Missouri became the chief gathering-place of the believers. But Smith's followers were not popular. Their neighbours persecuted them and drove them from their dwellings. Those who escaped, to the number of about twelve thousand, settled in Illinois and founded the city of Nauvoo. They were again persecuted, and on June 27, 1844, their Prophet, Joseph Smith, was assassinated. He was succeeded by a body of men called the Twelve Apostles. The Pre sident of these was one Brigham Young. Another temple was soon completed at Nauvoo. The Mormons again suffered cruel persecution. They were again driven into exile. This time they made their way into the valley of the Great Salt Lake, where in 1850 the Terri tory of Utah was created. Seventy-five per cent. of the inhabitants of Utah are Mormons. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to give the Mormons their correct title, has thirteen Articles of Faith. 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that these ordinances are : First, Faith In the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by " pro phecy, and by the laying on of hands." by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive Church, viz., apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has
revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes. That Zion will be built neon this con tinent. That Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its para disic glory. U. We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honouring and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent. virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul: " We believe all things, we hope all things "; we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. One of the features of Mormonism that have attracted special atten tion is the adoption of the patriarchal order of marriage. The Mormons point out that the prophets of God in ancient times had a plurality of wives, and regard this as a good example in agreement with the laws of God and of nature. " Many people revile against it, fre quently because they are ignorant of its harmony with natural laws, but it ill becomes those who profess a belief in Christianity to say that God ever gave to His children a law that was sinful in its nature or pernicious in Its effects; to thus reproach the justice and righteous ness of the Almighty is blasphemy " (James H. Ander son). Plurality of wives does not, however, seem to have been ordained by Joseph Smith, but to have been pro claimed by Brigham Young, his successor. The faithful followers of Joseph Smith, the " Smithite " or " Josephite " Mormons, refused to accept the new ordinance or to follow Brigham Young to Utah. They adhered to the original principles of the first Prophet. " These Smithite ' or ' Josephite ' Mormons have spread and flourished exceedingly, and have missionaries in every English-speaking country, also In Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland " (L. Dougall in the Manchester Guardian). It appears from the United States census that between 1900 and 1906 their numbers increased from 21,773 to 40,8.51. See J. H. Blunt; James H. Anderson, " The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," in R.S.W.